Prerak mankad

Pradosh Ranjan Paul: : Tamil Nadu began their campaign in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season with a dominant innings and 70-run victory over Saurashtra in Elite Group D as Ambala-born left-arm seamer Gurjapneet Singh claimed a six-wicket haul to bowl out the visitors for a mere 94 runs in their second innings at the Coimbatore Stadium.

Saurashtra, a powerhouse in domestic cricket, had no answer to Gurjapneet’s devastating spell, as he tore through their famed batting line-up. His remarkable figures of 14-5-22-6 included the crucial wickets of veterans Cheteshwar Pujara and Sheldon Jackson, along with key middle-order batsmen like Chirag Jani, Arpit Vasavada, and Prerak Mankad.

The foundation for Tamil Nadu’s resounding victory was laid in the first innings when their bowlers restricted Saurashtra to 203. In response, Tamil Nadu’s batsmen took charge, with Narayan Jagadeesan leading the way with a century. Sai Sudharsan contributed a solid 82, while Pradosh Ranjan Paul chipped in with 49, helping Tamil Nadu post an imposing 367 on the board.